By Reda Seka
USM Alger snatched a dramatic 1-0 victory over Zamalek in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final, with a stoppage-time penalty sealing the result at the 5 July Stadium in Algiers.okaz.
The decisive moment came in the 90+8th minute, when Ahmed Khaldi converted a penalty awarded after a VAR review, giving the Algerian side a narrow but precious advantage before next week’s return leg in Cairo.
Zamalek thought they had taken the lead through substitute Juan Bezerra, but the goal was disallowed after the referee consulted VAR and ruled there had been a handball earlier in the move by Hossam Abdelmaguid.
The match also saw Mahmoud Bentayg sent off for the Egyptian side, adding to Zamalek’s frustration in a tense and controversial finale.
The return leg will be played in Cairo next Saturday, with Zamalek still alive in the tie but facing a tough task after the late setback in Algeria.
